Farmers Commission directs seed firms to compensate Gadwal cotton farmers

The Agriculture and Farmers Commission directed seed companies to compensate cotton farmers in Gadwal after foundation seeds failed. Chairman Kodanda Reddy warned companies to act within days, citing their responsibility for crop losses in the seed production region

Hyderabad: The Agriculture and Farmers Commission has directed seed companies to compensate cotton farmers in Jogulamba Gadwal district for crop failure resulting from defective foundation seeds supplied to them.

Farmers had lodged complaints with the Commission regarding crop loss and the refusal of both the companies and their organisers to compensate them for their efforts in cultivating the seed crop.

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Commission Chairman M Kodanda Reddy met with affected farmers during his visit to Jogulamba Gadwal on June 13. At a review meeting with the District Collector and senior officials, he expressed displeasure over the involvement of organisers in the seed distribution process.

On Monday, the Commission convened a meeting with representatives of seed companies, during which company managements were asked to function with the farmers’ interests in mind. Given that the region was suitable for seed production and companies engaged farmers accordingly, they also bore the responsibility to compensate farmers in case of crop failure, the Commission said.

The Commission members also questioned how seeds supplied by reputed companies were failing quality tests. They strongly objected to the role played by organisers in the supply chain and urged stricter accountability from the companies.